Since its debut in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has become synonymous not only with cinematic brilliance but also with high-octane glamour.
On the iconic red carpet that unfurls along the Croisette each May, the world’s most celebrated actors, models, and muses ascend the steps of the Palais des Festivals in gowns worthy of dreams—and jewellery that turns those dreams into legend. Over the decades, Cannes has evolved into a powerful showcase for high jewellery, where the world’s finest Maisons unveil one-of-a-kind pieces, often straight from their vaults or freshly imagined for the festival itself.
The Golden Age Glamour
In the early years, stars like Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor brought an Old Hollywood elegance to Cannes, arriving with their own personal treasures: diamond tiaras, chandelier earrings, and multi-strand pearl necklaces. This was the era when jewellery wasn’t just borrowed—it was lived in. Taylor famously wore her 69-carat pear-shaped Cartier diamond (a gift from Richard Burton) on more than one occasion in Cannes, igniting a new kind of paparazzi frenzy: jewel-spotting.
The Maison Era
As the festival grew in global influence, luxury jewellers began to take notice. Chopard, the Swiss house known for its high jewellery and timepieces, became an official partner of the festival in 1998—and changed the jewellery game at Cannes forever. Not only did Chopard re-design the Palme d’Or trophy in ethical 18k gold, but they also pioneered the now-industry-standard practice of dressing celebrities in specially created high jewellery collections revealed during the festival. The “Red Carpet Collection,” launched annually at Cannes, features up to 75 unique pieces—one for each year since the festival’s founding.
Following Chopard’s lead, other maisons such as Cartier, Bulgari, De Beers, and Messika followed suit, turning Cannes into an unofficial haute joaillerie week. The result? A red carpet saturated in rare Colombian emeralds, Paraiba tourmalines, radiant yellow diamonds, and antique-cut sapphires—each stone with a provenance as rich as the stories being told on screen.
The Icons and Their Jewels
Moments that live on in the collective memory include Aishwarya Rai in a sweeping lavender gown and diamond halo at her Cannes debut, Angelina Jolie in a yellow Atelier Versace with a matching citrine cocktail ring, and Rihanna’s 2017 outing in a custom Ralph & Russo gown complemented by a head-turning diamond and emerald Bulgari collar. More recently, Bella Hadid’s Schiaparelli trompe l’oeil lung necklace in 2021, crafted from gilded brass and rhinestones, became an instant viral phenomenon and redefined what “statement jewellery” could mean on a modern red carpet.
Cannes is also a platform where historic pieces are resurrected. Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels, archival Boucheron, and museum-worthy Cartier designs have all made appearances, often with maisons meticulously curating the jewellery to reflect both the personality of the wearer and the spirit of the moment.
Red Carpet as Runway
Today, the Cannes red carpet functions as both a catwalk and a canvas. Jewellery here is not simply worn—it is performed. The festival has become a launchpad for new collections, with jewellers leveraging celebrity moments to create instant global impact. Beyond mere adornment, the right necklace or earring can become a cultural artefact, its image shared millions of times, dissected by fashion critics and embedded in digital memory.
There’s also been a move towards modernity and edge. Maison Messika, for example, has captured a younger clientele with sleek, diamond-intensive designs worn by everyone from Carla Bruni to Cindy Bruna. And in recent years, Cannes has embraced more inclusive forms of beauty and expression: gender-fluid styling, layered body jewellery, and cross-cultural references all now have a place on the red carpet.
A Dazzling Future
As the festival looks to the future, sustainability and ethical sourcing are taking centre stage. Chopard’s use of Fairmined gold is setting new industry standards, and more brands are introducing traceable gemstones and lab-grown diamonds into the luxury conversation—without sacrificing the awe-inspiring artistry that Cannes demands.
From heirlooms to headlines, the jewellery of the Cannes Film Festival tells stories as vivid as the films it celebrates. It is a place where legacy, craftsmanship, and showmanship collide under the flash of a thousand cameras—and where, for one glittering moment, the world watches with bated breath to see what brilliance will emerge next.
